Avondale Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Arson and Drug Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — CEDRIC KELLY, age 21, a resident of Avondale, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday by U. S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to fifteen (15) years (180 months) of imprisonment for Federal Arson and Drug charges, announced U. S Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Milazzo imposed four (4) years of supervised release following KELLY’s imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision with the United States Probation and Parole office and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.

According to federal court documents, KELLY previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Milazzo on January 12, 2012 for using fire in order to collect a drug debt and the illegal distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack). KELLY was arrested by Jefferson Parish Sheriff Office after a homeowner’s video surveillance system captured KELLY setting fire to the residents’ gas meter and dwelling. This fire was set in order to get the homeowner to pay a crack cocaine drug debt owed by the homeowner’s son in the amount of $7,000.00. When the homeowner refused to pay, KELLY went to the residence in the early morning hours of March 2, 2011 armed with $2.00 worth of gasoline, gloves and a hand towel soaked with gas. Once he torched the home, the gloves KELLY was wearing caught fire and he left them at the crime scene. In the video, KELLY is seen returning to the residence to retrieve the gloves he left behind. Fortunately, the flames burned out before it could do extensive damage to the residence or the homeowner and his wife who were asleep inside.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with Jefferson Parish Sheriff Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abe McGull of the Violent Crime Unit.

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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives United States Department of Justice